Starting from the first drive, my mind was searching for the word to describe the experience I was having in So Africa. It’s only human nature, right, to try to find a word that summarizes an experience in an attempt to relate the experience to others. And as the days went on and the amazing spectacle of critters continued to appear in front of us, the experiences that unfolded and the wonders still left to the imagination came to life, I was still searching for the word as I said goodbye to my hosts for the week. And that’s something else I didn’t expect, to make such amazing friendships with the Rangers at Mala Mala! I’m sitting here on the floor at JFK waiting to be able to check in so I can get home, after 18hrs of travel to get this far, I still don’t have that word. It’s the one thing I couldn’t find in Africa. I guess then it’s a darn good thing I’m a photographer because my photos are going to have to express what I have no words for. Is Africa all I thought it would be? Hell no! I’ve been hearing for over thirty years from folks who travel there why I should go and how I’d love it. Their descriptions were nowhere close to accurate and that’s probably they too never could find that word.
This Wild Dog, one of just 450 left in So Africa (such a tragic story) is one of a pack of 12 we photographed earlier in the week. They are a fascinating critter with an even more fascinating nitch in the web of life. I can so see why Gene, one of the shooters with us this past week is so into these amazing animals. The pack yesterday (hard for me to grasp this experience was already, yesterday) was bedded down in a sandy wash in the shade after a morning of being on the move. The cameras from our KelbyOne class were all packed, it was our last morning drive so I was doing what I love to do most, just smell the roses. So I sat there with 800mm pointed at the pups, not shooting when all of a sudden, the whole pack jumped to their feet. And as you can see, this adult walked right down the lens barrel looking at me the whole time. And other than this photo to offer you, I have no words for the experience. I owe a big thank you and gratitude to Images in Africa Safaris for taking me to Africa for my first time and the amazing experience. I need to thank KelbyOne for sending Adam who captured it all so we can share it with you all next year. Yes, I will be going back to Africa in 2015. I’ll be not only looking for more critters and more stories, but probably still searching for that word I couldn’t find this time.